The San Antonio Police Department says three people were arrested and two vehicles towed after Spurs celebrations along SW Military Drive this postseason, and neighbors from both sides of the street are talking about safety and tradition. KSAT reported the scene, and longtime resident Rick Mendiola shared memories that stretch back to the Spurs’ early championship days, while some revelers embraced risky behavior that drew police attention. This piece lays out what happened on SW Military Drive, who was detained, what neighbors are saying, and the safety reminders SAPD is sending after the recent wins. The contrast between joyful tradition and hazardous stunts is at the heart of the reaction in San Antonio.
Police activity on SW Military Drive followed multiple celebrations after Spurs victories that turned viral on social platforms, showing stunts like lighting illegal fireworks, leaning out of vehicle windows, and burnouts on the roadway. SAPD confirms two people were arrested there on reckless driving charges, and one of those individuals also faces a charge for unlawful carrying of a weapon. A third person was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant, and officers reported that two vehicles involved in the activity were towed as part of the response.
Officials also noted that while SW Military Drive saw arrests and tows, celebrations downtown during the same stretch did not produce any related arrests, showing a difference in behavior depending on where fans gathered. Residents who live near SW Military Drive told KSAT they enjoy watching and taking part in the city’s wins, but many want the dangerous elements of the street celebrations scaled back for everyone’s safety. The concern centers on people turning celebrations into high-risk stunts that put drivers, pedestrians, and neighbors at risk.
One nearby resident, quoted by KSAT, laid it out plainly: “[It’s dangerous],” one neighbor said, “people honking, getting out of their cars and fireworks and all that.” Those words capture how local people see the line between cheering and creating hazards on a busy road. For some longtime neighbors, the recent behavior feels like a departure from the old-school celebrations they remember.
Rick Mendiola, a neighbor who says he has lived by SW Military Drive for 50 years, compared today’s scenes to the first time the Spurs won a title, when the street filled with people celebrating the team’s early champions. “First time Robinson won and with Duncan, we were all out here,” Mendiola said, recalling those earlier gatherings. He went on to describe what those celebrations felt like: “Back then, it was great,” Mendiola continued. “No burnouts, no nothing. It was yelling and honking your horn and celebrating real good.”
Most people interviewed told KSAT they welcome celebrations that stay within the law and keep everyone safe, and they drew a firm line at fireworks, reckless driving, and people hanging out of moving vehicles. Those activities not only endanger participants but also complicate traffic and emergency responses on SW Military Drive, a busy corridor that runs through residential areas. Neighbors say the cheers are fine, but they want the dangerous stunts to stop so celebrations don’t become emergencies.
In response, the San Antonio Police Department issued straightforward safety guidance aimed at fans who take to the streets after a win, reminding everyone to keep basic rules in mind and protect one another. SAPD’s list of reminders includes:
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Follow all traffic laws
- Do not exit your vehicle on an active roadway
- Do not engage in celebratory gunfire
- Do not pop fireworks
- Do not light fires
- Do not sit on top of moving vehicles
Authorities emphasize that enjoying a Spurs victory does not require breaking the law or risking lives, and they encourage fans to find safe, legal ways to celebrate in neighborhoods across San Antonio. As the postseason continues, city residents and police will be watching whether street celebrations return to the kind of community-focused cheering that people like Mendiola remember fondly. For now, the arrests and tows on SW Military Drive are a reminder that public safety remains a priority even amid the excitement of the Spurs’ run.
